GUDMUND
(synger).
Jeg vandred i lien så tung og så ene;
de småfugle kviddred fra busker og grene;
så listeligt kviddred de sangere små:
hør til, hvordan kærlighed monne opstå!
Den vokser som eken i årene lange;
den næres ved tanker og sorger og sange.
Den spirer så let; i den flygtigste stund
fæster den rødder i hjertets grund!
(Han går under efterspillet op mod baggrunden, hvor han sætter harpen fra sig.)
GUDMUND.
[Sings.]
I roamed through the uplands so heavy of cheer;
The little birds quavered in bush and in brere;
The little birds quavered, around and above:
Wouldst know of the sowing and growing of love?
It grows like the oak tree through slow-rolling years;
’Tis nourished by dreams, and by songs, and by tears;
But swiftly ’tis sown; ere a moment speeds by,
Deep, deep in the heart love is rooted for aye.
[As he strikes the concluding chords, he goes towards the back where he lays down his harp.]